West Coast metric Bad door seals

[Oilspot11]

Delivered today a pair of WCM front door seals, both completely not made for a late bus. My allignment point was the door hinge area Only one corner cut out, and a foot too long. Sealed bag said 72 to 79. Hope no one else gets a wrong part.

Beware.

[70bus]

I know many of us are on a budget, but if you can afford it buy the seals with the square top and bottom corners that fill that gap.

Edited to add: those seals are usually better quality, and a better fit. They may well last the rest of your bus ownership, so a one-time expense for many. And they seal better, so less air whistling and water leaks.

As for your problem: Usually shorter means too loose when installing and longer means you've stretched it too much... but that's nuts. Is it maybe a Vanagon seal?
_________________
Craig K
70 Neunsitzer
65 Pritschenwagen
"If Von Dutch was alive, he'd walk in there with a pistol and shoot these people." - Robert Williams

Raoul the 65 singlecab

Karl the 70 nine-seater

[Rag00oll]

In my opinion the best door seals for the front cab are from Airhead Parts. They fit right the first time, they seal so well my poptop moves a bit when i shut the doors.

They make them themselves. I remember buying a set for my 71 westy like 13 years ago. Pretty sure that bus still has the same seals.

https://airheadparts.com/vw-part/bay-window-bus-door-seal-front-door-type-2-211-831-721-d/

[ALLWAGONS]

awesome info. After getting the WCM door seals, its a pain slamming the doors on my double cab.
_________________
I'd be UNSTOPPABLE if not for Law Enforcement and PHYSICS.

I recycle old cars and parts, other than when I rot, that's as Green as I am going to get.

Thanks to my Tesla driving neighbors, I feel more relaxed driving my SUBURBAN and old VW's.

Everything sounds good on paper!

[Bnanwel]

Get the Vewib seals. There are none better. They fit just like the original, flat corners/correct length/no slam/excellent!
_________________
‘72 Karmann Ghia Conv.
‘73 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘74 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘70 Deluxe
‘72 Deluxe

[70bus]

Bus Depot still has the German ones with corners for about $90@. They are a bit thick, and the door takes a bit of oomph to shut - but no leaks in over 2 years.
_________________
Craig K
70 Neunsitzer
65 Pritschenwagen
"If Von Dutch was alive, he'd walk in there with a pistol and shoot these people." - Robert Williams

Raoul the 65 singlecab

Karl the 70 nine-seater

[Bobs67vwagen]

If you want to try and salvage those you can trim to the right length and fuse it together with contact cement. The corner can be manipulated to fit a little better and then secured with trim adhesive. I did this with some bug seals I had years ago that did not fit well and they held up well. Just a thought. Also if you send a picture to the vendor they might just try to correct it by sending you another one.

[aeromech]

Airhead. Don’t cheap out and buy their factory seconds
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[ALLWAGONS]

My experience with “NEW” reproduction door rubber, it’s that it’s thicker than the original, forcing you to slam your door every time. They look great, but the fit….
Anyone else can vouch for Airhead?

Martin
Allwagons
_________________
I'd be UNSTOPPABLE if not for Law Enforcement and PHYSICS.

I recycle old cars and parts, other than when I rot, that's as Green as I am going to get.

Thanks to my Tesla driving neighbors, I feel more relaxed driving my SUBURBAN and old VW's.

Everything sounds good on paper!

[aeromech]

Airhead are specially made to be thinner. Go read about it on their site
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Willin]

I am using a door seal like the OP has. It was too long.
Cut it to correct length , and re-glue.

My Mom bought a new 74 SB. You had to roll the window down to close the door without slamming.
Just like my bus with new seals. I got the habit of opening the window a bit when I enter the bus. Then a nice easy thunk, and closed.
_________________
73 bus. Org. 1700 with dual Weber 40 idfs, bus header with Empi qp muffler, CB magnaspark 2 " ready to run kit".

[airschooled]

The Airhead full price seals are great. They aren't thinner- they're the correct dimensions but hollow on the inside so they compress as needed but still keep water and wind out while allowing the door to fully close. I tried the factory seconds and threw them away.

Robbie
_________________
One-on-one tech help for your vintage Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com

Road trip reports and tech blog:
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[70bus]

[mikewire]

Huh, I have a '72 and used WCM seals and they are fine, maybe a bit snug but not in a bad way.

What's the part # you bought vs. what was the label on the seal? Did they send the wrong one or was it mislabeled? Have you contacted them to make it right?

From what I see there you have it installed all ass-backwards. That 90 chunky corner needs to be at the top corner. Rotate it 180 degrees?
_________________
-Mike

@countdowngarage
@bigskyeuro

1972 VW Kombi 9 Passenger Deluxe 221(5) w/ 2.0L F.I. VWAC swap
1965 VW Beetle Deluxe Bahama Blue